Floaters and Flashes - Admiralty Medical Centre

[Pages:2]Floaters and Flashes

Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

What are they? Eye floaters appear as tiny spots, specks, flecks and "cobwebs" that drift aimlessly around in your field of vision.

Flashes appear as twinkles or lightning streaks in your vision.

What causes them? The eyeball is filled with a clear gel-like material called vitreous. With aging, the vitreous may start to liquify and shrink away from the internal lining of the eye (retina).

Floaters form when small clumps of protein settle out as the vitreous breaks down. When light enters the eye, it hits these small particles causing spots in the vision.

When flashes occur, a person will experience quick, arc-shaped flashes of light out of the corner of the eye. These are often described as lightning flashes. Flashes occur as a result of retina stimulation by the tugging

vitreous gel. Flashes appear as twinkles or lightning streaks in your vision.

What are the symptoms? Floaters or flashes are usually not harmful by themselves. However, they sometimes are associated with retinal tear and retinal detachment, which may be potentially blinding.

You should consult an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) if you see an increase in floaters suddenly, lightning flashes or a moving curtain blocking part or all of your vision.

What should I do if I have floaters and flashes? Treatment is not needed for flashes and floaters. Floaters can get in the way of clear vision, often when reading. Try looking up and then down to move the floaters out of the way. While some floaters may remain, many of them will fade over time.

MAMeAddedidmcmiaciilrarCaalellCttnyyetnretre

KhKHoHhooosoTposepictTiaktelaPclkuaPtuat

YYCisoihsmuhHnumonCusopnmiittmayluHnoitsypital

(65) 6807 8000 .sg

(65) 6555 8000 .sg

(65) 6807 8800 .sg

The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.

OVS.DE.09.0517

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download